Bruno Fernandes tells Andre Onana he ‘should not take the blame’ for Manchester United defeat by Bayern Munich in Champions League

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has told goalkeeper Andre Onana not to take the blame for the club’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

Onana was guilty of a costly mistake when he spilled Leroy Sane’s shot into his net before half-time as United lost 4-3 at the Allianz Arena.

The Cameroonian keeper, who has now conceded 14 goals in six games since joining United from Inter Milan for £47.2million last summer, took responsibility for the mistake and his shaky start at the club.

But Fernandes jumped to Onana’s defense and said all players must take the blame for United’s poor results.

“It’s not about Andre,” Fernandes said. ‘André is a great goalkeeper. He will continue to give us a lot of points, a lot of saves.

Onana spilled the ball from Leroy Sane’s shot to give Bayern Munich the lead

‘He doesn’t have to take the blame for nothing. “We have to take the blame as a team that we’re going to go through this moment together because we’re strong as a team.”

The goal proved costly for United after a strong start in Germany as they trailed for the rest of the match, despite Bayern coming back with goals from Rasmus Hojlund and two late tries from Casemiro.

Fernandes praised United’s fighting spirit but admitted they need to improve after losing four of their first six games this season.

‘The positive thing is that the spirit, the fighting spirit was there. We tried,” Fernandes added. ‘It was still not enough to win or get anything out of the match, but at times the team showed a lot of spirit. We need to do it more often and for 90 minutes.

‘We controlled very well at the beginning of the match. We started the second half very well. I think we could have gotten a different result after scoring a goal.

‘I don’t think anyone expects us to come to Bayern and score three goals. We’re not playing against a bad team. We played against one of the best teams in the world, with great players and great qualities.

‘Bayern did have some chances, yes. If you fall behind, you obviously get space for them, and you know they can hurt you against big teams like Bayern.”

Erik ten Hag was without twelve players in Germany due to an injury and the absence of Jadon Sancho and Antony. But Fernandes refused to blame United’s latest defeat for that.

Bruno Fernandes emphasized that the team is to blame and that Onana should not take the blame

“No, that’s not what it’s about,” he added. ‘We can’t rely on the injuries and stuff anymore. Obviously we want everyone back because we know the team will be stronger no matter how many players we have available.

‘But we have the players and we have enough experience and enough talent in the squad to get through this moment.

“I think some of them will probably come back sooner and strengthen the team because we have injured quality players. But it’s about those who play now and give something to get the result.

“Obviously it’s not the best time for us, but we’ll get through this and get the results back.

“We know it’s hard and you have to go through it because you have no control over it. But I think the team has enough players to get a response.

‘I think everyone has to do their own work and look at themselves first. That’s what I do as a player. Not as a captain – as a person and first point. I think everyone does that.

“It wasn’t that everyone wasn’t good and did the best for the team or tried to fight to get the result.

“It’s just momentum and against big teams, if you give them a lot of chances, they will hurt you.”

Onana was defeated four times that evening, with Bayern Munich winning 4–3